Wellington’s Queer Avengers have released a statement of support for the lesbian couple who triggered a media storm when they denounced the discrimination they felt while at Public bar in Central Wellington in an open letter on Facebook. "The Queer Avengers were not at the bar that night, and cannot know what the bouncer said or how he acted," says Queer Avengers spokesperson Kassie Hartendorp. "But we do know that the women felt uncomfortable and discriminated against by his actions and their complaint should be taken seriously." Hartendorp says it’s not uncommon for queer and gender variant people to face bigotry in Wellington's nightlife. "We live in a society which disdains gay affection. Many in the queer community often worry about being ‘too gay in public’ for fear of the reaction it might provoke. The Queer Avengers have heard very similar stories from other members of the LGBTIQ community about Wellington nightclubs, so it makes sense that a lot of people gave their support to these women." The Queer Avengers says they further condemn the public attack made on the women involved, which can have the chilling effect of making it harder for any marginalised group to speak out against discrimination in the future.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 1st May 2012 - 4:58pm